Dear Patients,
As you may already know, the global Covid-19 / coronavirus pandemic has led to huge pressure on our entire health service, including Sirona Medical. It is important to remember that we still have to assess and treat patients for all the usual, unrelated medical problems, not just Covid-19.
Nonetheless, we have had to make significant changes to the way we provide our services, particularly consultations and appointments. We are grateful for your understanding and support at this difficult time for everyone; please continue to be patient with telephone calls and queries as we are extremely busy.
Please be advised that:
• All appointments must be made by telephone. No Walk In / appointments under any circumstances.
• All prescription requests and other queries must also be made by telephone. Please expect a long waiting time for your call to be answered. Please also expect a long waiting time for any agreed call back.
• If you are feeling unwell with symptoms of illness, please telephone the practice for advice. Please do not ignore new or worsening illness – other medical concerns can still be assessed during this crisis. A telephone consultation can be arranged with the doctor for you. Childhood immunisations, ante-natal appointments, important blood tests and a range of other important appointments still continue and we have precautions in place for all patients. Please telephone the practice for information.
• Patients with any flu-like symptoms are asked not to come to the surgery. If you have flu-like symptoms and feel that you need a telephone consultation, please call (01) 868 0242 to arrange a call back. The Receptionist will ask you about your symptoms. They will also confirm your contact details. A GP / Practice Nurse will call you back for a telephone consultation to discuss your symptoms and provide assessment. It is vital to understand that in order for a GP to refer you for testing for Covid-19, you must meet the clinical criteria, as per the HSE Public Health requirements.
• Please be honest and clear about your symptoms. If you are extremely ill and cannot get through to the practice, contact the emergency services at 112. If you have symptoms but cannot get through to the practice or are waiting for a call back from the GP / Nurse, please self-isolate at home, remain calm and you will receive a call back as soon as possible.
• For more information about Covid-19 / Corona Virus, see https://www.hse.ie/coronavirus or call 1850 24 1850. You can also find information here about self-isolating if you have symptoms.
• If you have symptoms please do not come to the surgery – these precautions are to protect you, other patients and staff. If any member of the practice staff is exposed to Covid-19, it could result in staff having to self-isolate and the surgery could close. This could deprive all patients of a GP for at least 2 weeks.
• The practice door will be locked: only those who have an appointment will be allowed entry to the practice. You will only be able to enter at the time of your appointment. Please let Reception know you have arrived using the intercom and you will be checked in. The doctor / nurse will call you and let you in to the practice when he/she is ready to see you.
• We ask that those attending for appointments come on their own; please do not bring anyone with you unless you need mobility assistance. Only the person with the appointment will be allowed in. Please check in with Reception at the intercom and the doctor will call you in at your appointment time. Please pay fees by card where possible.
• All other queries must be made by telephone. The phones will be extremely busy so please, be patient and understand that we will get to you as soon as possible.
If you have no flu-like symptoms and are generally worried about Covid-19, please do not contact the practice. Please see www.hse.ie for information or call 1850 24 1850. Please follow all the advice about hand hygiene and social distancing and if you have older friends or relatives please let them know about this update. Please be patient and understanding.
We are all working hard to beat this illness and you can all be part of that effort.
